Athens is a great escape from Atlanta for couples or a Girlfriends' Getaway. Atlanta & Company host Christine Pullara and Hannah Smith from the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau talk about some great ideas.

To learn more about what Athens has to offer, visit:

• Athens Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
• Athens Clarke County Government
• Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
• The Classic Center
• Online Athens
• University of Georgia
• University of Georgia Visitor’s Center
• UGA Performing Arts Center
• Athens Community Council on Aging
• OLLI at UGA (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute)

From breakfast to brunch, breweries to coffee shops, you’ll find it in all in Fort Gratiot! Hometown gems and familiar favorites can be found within minutes of Mercy Village. Current resident favorites include Raven Café, The Vintage Tavern, Palms Krystal Bar & Grill, and Kate’s Downtown. For waterfront dining, be sure to check out Freighters Eatery & Taproom.

In search of a coffee shop? Getting to your favorite coffee stop is easy with options from Starbucks to Tim Horton’s to name a few. Or try Milkhouse Ice Cream and Coffee Café. You won’t be disappointed!

Experience a rich history and take in beautiful sites at local attractions found within minutes of Mercy Village. Fort Gratiot is home to a robust museum district. Visit the Fort Gratiot Light Station, home to the oldest lighthouse in Michigan, the Carnegie Center Port Huron Museum, featuring a living history experience at Kammer Cabin, or the Thomas Edison Depot Museum to learn about Thomas Edison’s time spent living and working in the area, among others. Visit the Blue Water Convention Center for a beautiful view of the Blue Water Bridges to Canada or grab a friend and take the Blue Water Trolley for a tour of 51 beautiful locations around the city.

If you enjoy the outdoors, you’ll love the Fort Gratiot region. Right on Lake Huron, Fort Gratiot offers ample beachfront space to explore. River and lake cruises leaving from Port Huron will let you see all the area’s waterways have to offer. Looking to spend time inland? There are plenty of parks close by to spend time hiking, golfing, or simply walking around to enjoy the natural beauty of the greater Fort Gratiot area.